Vice Chair Derrek Pugh, District 2
Phone: (803) 977-4339
Email: pugh.derrek@richlandcountysc.gov
Term expires: 2024
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Derrek Levar Pugh represents District 2, which includes parts of Columbia and Blythewood. Pugh was elected to office Nov. 3, 2020. Before serving in this role, he served as vice chairman for the Board of Zoning and Appeals and planning commissioner for the Town of Blythewood. He has also served as a board member for the Blythewood Chamber of Commerce.
A 20+ year resident of District 2, Pugh has always had a strong commitment to community, especially to children and young adults. Born in Dillon, Pugh is a product of Dillon County Schools and earned his diploma from Dillon High School. He went on to further his education at Benedict College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies, and at Webster University, where he earned a master’s in management and leadership.
In 2018, Pugh became deputy director of the South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy, an entity of the S.C. National Guard. In this role, he has impacted the lives of countless young people across the state. A leader in program development for children and young adults, Pugh previously ran the programming division for the Richland County Recreation Commission. Over the course of his career, he has secured hundreds of thousands of dollars for after-school programs, summer camps, school-to-work programs and transitional programs. He is extremely focused on improving the health and well-being of those he serves.
Pugh has partnered with local agencies to institute health fairs, mobile COVID-19 testing clinics and health education seminars throughout Richland County and the state. He serves as a board member for the Ray of Hope (USDA) Feeding Program, the Carolina Legacy Council and the Capital City Club Membership Committee in Columbia. Pugh also served as an adjunct professor at Benedict College in the college's recreation and sports management program. He has been featured as a keynote speaker at various events, from school programs to statewide summits. He also serves as executive director for Rural Life Resources, based in Orangeburg. In that role, Pugh has created community development resources that include tutoring for local children and senior programs for individuals 65 and older. He is also a proud active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
In his spare time, Pugh enjoys volunteering and spending time with his wife, Teshieka Curtis-Pugh.
Recent Awards and Accolades
- Graduate, Leadership Columbia (2019-2020 class)
- Black Pages Top 20 Under 40 (2018)
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